With rising oil prices affecting heating and transport costs each of us can help with the energy and climate problems within our own homes. Although since 2010 house sellers no longer have to supply a Home Information Pack the one element of it that has remained in place is the Energy Performance Certificate and all residential properties being sold or rented along with commercial and public properties remain legally bound to have an Energy Performance Certificate.
Builders are also required to produce this Certificate for new properties. This will enable those of us that are environmentally conscious to see if the property reflects higher energy saving standards.
Why is the Certificate needed? Dutton Gregory Conveyancing Manager Jill Cooper says “the main force behind this is the hope that works carried out either at the build stage or, improvements made when people see how energy proficient a property is, will aid the reduction in climate change. The Certificate shows how the efficiency can be increased and the costs that could be saved in carrying out the recommended improvements.
This Certificate shows the current energy use for a year, carbon dioxide emissions and the amount spent for electricity, heating and hot water together with the potential savings and how they can be achieved. If one wishes to achieve an even higher level of savings there is also information on solar water heating , solar panels and even a wind turbine.”
The Energy Performance Certificates are carried out by specially trained Energy Assessors who can hold licences to cover a range of properties from residential to commercial/public buildings.
If you are in any doubt about the legal implications of the EPC requirements please contact Jill at Dutton Gregory on 01962 844333.
